THE largest ships in the fleet of Thurrock-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages, which went into administration earlier this year, are set for new roles but two of the vintage cruise ships are set to be scrapped.

The UK Admiralty Court in September ordered the sale of the five ships operated by CMV.

The Columbus and the Magellen have been bought by Seajets, is a Greek/Cypriot ferry company operating passenger and freight ferry services in the Aegean Sea.

The Columbus was auctioned by CW Kellock & Co. in London on 12 October 2020, for $5.321 million to an undisclosed Turkish owner, who resold to Seajets.

Seajets bought the Magellan for $3.431 million. She is currently en route to Gibralter, while Columbus is still laid-up at Tilbury but is expected to leave soon.

An emerging Portuguese cruise company named Mystic Cruises has acquired CMV's Vasco de Gama for a reported $10,187, million.

Speaking about the acquisition of the 55,400 gross ton cruise ship, Mário Ferreira, president of Mystic Invest Holding, parent company of Mystic Cruises, said that the company had taken the opportunity to grow its current fleet and to better position it for the expected rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our focus is on smaller cruise ships, under one thousand passengers, to create a more personalized, safe and intimate cruise experience for our guests," Ferreira said in the company's press release. "We believe that this segment of the market is better placed to answer to what cruisers will expect in the near future."

The buyer of Marco Polo, for $2.7 million is still unknown but it is reported she is likely to be scrapped as is the Astor, sold for $1.7 million, and currently heading for a breaker's dock in Turkey.